Unmanned ground vehicle Mission Master SP: US Marines train with Rheinmetall UGV on Okinawa

At Camp Schwab on Okinawa (Japan), US Marines are training with the Mission Master Silent Partner unmanned ground vehicle from Rheinmetall. The 4th Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division is taking part.

The Mission Master SP (Silent Partner) belongs to a family of autonomous unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) designed to support infantry forces in particularly dangerous areas of operation. On Okinawa, the US Marines are integrating the system into training scenarios that combine last-mile resupply, casualty transport and covert movement under enemy observation.

According to the US Marine Corps, the vehicles are no longer regarded as mere technology demonstrators. Instead, they are treated as organic equipment for use at platoon level. This is a decisive step if units of the III Marine Expeditionary Force are to adopt the technology permanently.

Quiet unmanned ground vehicle with electric drive

Within Rheinmetall’s Mission Master family, the Mission Master SP is the lighter variant. A fully electric powertrain and a very low 8×8 chassis reduce its acoustic and thermal signature. This is an essential criterion for operations within range of enemy sensors.

Ground clearance is 25 centimetres, and the vehicle can handle gradients of up to 35 degrees. With a top speed of 40 km/h, it covers 54 kilometres on electric power alone. A hybrid diesel drive is available as an option. When towed as a trailer behind a prime mover, the Mission Master SP is approved for up to 70 km/h.

Rheinmetall had also recently reported successful tests of the Mission Master in Portugal, during the exercises “Repmus” (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) and “Dyms” (Dynamic Messenger).